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Back from combat, women struggle for acceptance
AP via Yahoo ^ | 14 Dec 2009 | KIMBERLY HEFLING

Posted on 12/14/2009 9:15:22 AM PST by US Navy Vet

Nobody wants to buy them a beer.

Even near military bases, female veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan aren't often offered a drink on the house as a welcome home.

More than 230,000 American women have fought in those recent wars and at least 120 have died doing so, yet the public still doesn't completely understand their contributions on the modern battlefield.

For some, it's a lonely transition as they struggle to find their place.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: combat; militarywomen; oefveterans; oifveterans; women; womenincombat
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To: Little Bill
Thanks for your informed thoughts. . .shaped by fact and before the murderous PC agendas pushing for equity in promotion over what is right, and that was exactly what the original push for women in combat was all about—promotions. No combat time made you less competitive for promotion, must change that, mission be darned.
81 posted on 12/14/2009 11:58:56 AM PST by Hulka
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To: US Navy Vet

Never really thought about it that way. I was just doing my job - the same job my dad did during the 1950’s.


82 posted on 12/14/2009 12:01:52 PM PST by SoldierDad (Proud Dad of a U.S. Army Infantry Soldier whose wife is expecting twins SONS.)
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To: US Navy Vet

Oh, regarding my Father-in-Law, he was in the Army signal corp and stationed at Pearl Harbor, but arrived there in January 1945 - much after the 41’ attack. His brother, however, was in the Navy and was at Pearl Dec 7 1941. He had just left the Hospital where he was visiting a friend, and was walking back to his ship when the attack started. He never made it back aboard his ship, which was one of the one’s sunk that day. My wife doesn’t recall the name of the ship - I’ll have to inquire of one of her brothers to see if they know.


83 posted on 12/14/2009 12:08:49 PM PST by SoldierDad (Proud Dad of a U.S. Army Infantry Soldier whose wife is expecting twins SONS.)
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To: Allegra

Thanks for your continued service.


84 posted on 12/14/2009 12:16:38 PM PST by onedoug
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To: US Navy Vet

Okay, just confirmed - my father-in-law’s brother was from the Arizona, but had gone to another ship’s hospital to visit a friend and was returning when the attack’s began. Just wow. He was that close to having his name added to the Arizona Memorial.


85 posted on 12/14/2009 12:24:02 PM PST by SoldierDad (Proud Dad of a U.S. Army Infantry Soldier whose wife is expecting twins SONS.)
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To: Hulka
Back in my day it was called the Punch. Officers did six in the rear and six as a Platoon leader, we enlisted scum did 12 on the line.

It was not unusual to have four or five Platoon leaders on a tour, most of them were real leaders, we had seven of which three passed the test.

I would suggest reading the Book, "The Thin Red Line," By James Jones, not the Movie, the Army hasn't changed.

86 posted on 12/14/2009 12:33:17 PM PST by Little Bill (Carol Che-Porter is a MOONBAT.)
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To: SoldierDad

“No where did I post that I SUPPORT women in combat roles - only that women have been in the front lines of America’s wars since this country’s founding. And, women have also been in the front lines of wars abroad. My only point is that they are there and have been there.”

Its quite disingenuous to state that women have been in combat roles throughout our history and infer their roles have been the same throughout. Never before in our history have women been placed side by side as combat troops. They were in roles that happened to come into combat or as a very small number of women who sought it out.


87 posted on 12/14/2009 12:54:27 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: SoldierDad

” Yes, sex is exactly what I’d be thinking about when bullets are ripping around me.’

And yet that is exactly what happens. But the true damage is done during training and routine day to day events.

“My son is in no way, shape, or form, PC - he states HIS opinion, not the one he’s given to say by any PC individual above him”

Sure but his family don’t have any say in his career. I bet he’s PC when talking to his commander or a female in his unit.


88 posted on 12/14/2009 12:56:26 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: driftdiver

“Some turned into sluts...”

Definition please.


89 posted on 12/14/2009 1:04:38 PM PST by marajade (Yes, I'm a SW freak!)
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To: sabe@q.com

“Definition please.”

One went from bunk to bunk in the marine barracks next door.

A few traded being a girlfriend for things like microwaves.

Things like that.


90 posted on 12/14/2009 1:13:53 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: driftdiver

and the men obliged did they not? why couldn’t the men tell them “no”?


91 posted on 12/14/2009 1:17:00 PM PST by marajade (Yes, I'm a SW freak!)
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To: US Navy Vet

While I am eternally grateful to every single soldier who has served:

WOMEN SHOULDN’T BE THERE AT ALL!


92 posted on 12/14/2009 1:17:41 PM PST by Boucheau
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To: metalcor

May God bless your daughter abundantly and please convey to her my sincere gratitude.


93 posted on 12/14/2009 1:19:46 PM PST by Allegra (It doesn't matter what this tagline says...the liberals are going to call it "racist.")
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To: Boucheau
WOMEN SHOULDN’T BE THERE AT ALL!

You mean in Iraq or Afghanistan?

At all?

ROFL

94 posted on 12/14/2009 1:20:54 PM PST by Allegra (It doesn't matter what this tagline says...the liberals are going to call it "racist.")
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To: onedoug

My pleasure. Merry Christmas to you and yours. :)


95 posted on 12/14/2009 1:22:43 PM PST by Allegra (It doesn't matter what this tagline says...the liberals are going to call it "racist.")
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To: sabe@q.com

“and the men obliged did they not? why couldn’t the men tell them “no”?”

Some did and some didn’t. I didn’t say it was only the women causing a problem. I said it was a problem typical of when you get a lot of young people together.

The women were in a target rich environment. Some handled it better than others.

The only reason for the coed environment is political correctness.


96 posted on 12/14/2009 1:22:58 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: driftdiver

To what end did it cause problems?


97 posted on 12/14/2009 1:24:53 PM PST by marajade (Yes, I'm a SW freak!)
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To: sabe@q.com

“To what end did it cause problems?”

Caused a lot of conflict between people. Caused people to focus on things other than the mission.

Perhaps you have forgotten what it is like to be young and dumb.


98 posted on 12/14/2009 1:27:16 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Allegra

If it were up to me, they wouldn’t be anywhere near action.


99 posted on 12/14/2009 1:28:33 PM PST by Boucheau
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To: sabe@q.com

So you’re ok with a woman going bunk to bunk with 20 marines in one evening?

Or a military woman selling sex?

To what end would those cause problems? Amazing


100 posted on 12/14/2009 1:33:17 PM PST by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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